Here’s a scary stat: Food allergies in children rose by 18 percent from 1997 to 2007 and today, four out of every 100 U.S. kids has a food allergy. What’s more, kids under age 5 are more likely to be affected than their older counterparts. Here, some common symptoms to discuss with your pediatrician that suggest your baby or toddler might have an allergy.

Repeated or chronic cold-like symptoms that last more than a week or two, or develop at about the same time every year. These could include a runny nose, nasal stuffiness, sneezing, throat clearing, and itchy, watery eyes.

Recurrent coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, difficulty breathing, and other respiratory symptoms may be a sign of asthma. Coughing may be an isolated symptom; symptoms that increase at night or with exercise are suspicious for asthma.

Recurrent red, itchy, dry, sometime scaly rashes in the creases of the elbows and/or knees, or on the back of the neck, buttocks, wrists, or ankles.

Symptoms that occur repeatedly after eating a particular food that may include hives, swelling of face or extremities, gagging, coughing or wheezing, vomiting or significant abdominal pain.

Itching or tingling sensations in the mouth, throat and/or ears during certain times of year or after eating certain foods, particularly fresh fruits.

Courtesy of The American Academy of Pediatrics Guide to Your Child’s Allergies and Asthma.